your instructor should be teaching you the self rescue before you go in the water,having a look on a video will help but you should be practicing it on the water,never had to do it but it could save you one day,make sure your familiar with it before you hit the water

The question is not how often will you have to do it but more do you know how to do it when you'll get in trouble, because you WILL get into some kind of trouble, sooner or later. My history with Self-rescues is about just the same as NickT.

I recommend reading these:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/Self-Rescue-3/?SearchTerms=self-rescue

and the post I made in this one:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Self-rescue-problem/?SearchTerms=self-rescue

It's disappointing to see that after 3 lessons you haven't been able to practice a self-rescue in a deep-water scenario. This is an essential skill for you own safety and independence and it is irresponsible for any school to skip this. Self-rescue should be taught on the beach in the first lesson and practiced in the water the very first time you enter the water, sometimes it will take more than 1 attempt to get you comfortable with it.

Nonetheless, It's a great thing that you figured out yourself that it "needs to be done" at some stage, good on you.

Whenever that happens it's really really crappy.

Can't relaunch the kite, or the wind has simply died off. I am 400 meters off-shore. It's choppy as hell. I am trying to swim but the lines get all tangled up around me. What the hell do I do?

I really want to see someone in choppy conditions deflating a kite and wrapping it in order to create a floating device. I reckon it's not an easy job.

That's why I tend to stay away from the open ocean as much as I can.

Mikedobee said...

Whenever that happens it's really really crappy.

Can't relaunch the kite, or the wind has simply died off. I am 400 meters off-shore. It's choppy as hell. I am trying to swim but the lines get all tangled up around me. What the hell do I do?

I really want to see someone in choppy conditions deflating a kite and wrapping it in order to create a floating device. I reckon it's not an easy job.

That's why I tend to stay away from the open ocean as much as I can.

your lines get tangled around you? all the self rescue vids i have seen tell u how to avoid this? Dont you wrap the lines up around the bar as you get closer to the kite on the way in???

Anyhoo, how many times does it happen? well this season i have had to do it 2x. First time was inverted kite (north 5 line) and was ****ting myself but kept calm (and chived on) and just went through the motions.

the second time was cause i fkd up :P and just a shame to have to do it but just gradually get back in to the kite and sail it back in, much more controlled and happy with result. took about 10mins from the middle of botany bay to "sail" on the sail back in.

either way - it happens, u should know it. expect it to happen :P

thats not good :\ wish everyone was considerate to everyone on the water.

+1 all of the above.
Your instructor should have taught self rescue to you by now and it's good to practice it early. One good video of this is in the Progression DVDs for beginner. Well worth the purchase, but really nothing beats lessons from competent and qualified instructors. That is worth every cent.

Sometimes its a kite rescue - ie. you are rescuing the kite when it would be easier for you to just swim ashore.
Sometimes the kite will be a help in rescuing yourself.

In an offshore wind or current, the difference may matter.

i agree with crew saying get instructor to teach you this skill.when i did my lessons i only was run through it on land but even doing that saved me when i had to use it .Wind dropped out on me about 250 -300 mtrs off shore
with your legs dangling in white pointer terretory it all comes back to you pretty quick so i must advise practice this and be confident with it before hitting the water.good luck & enjoy this awsome sport.calbs

I agree with most here.
Self Rescue is a basic essential skill which should be taught before you enter the water and it should be the first thing you do on the water. If your instructor has taken you through 2 lessons without you having done at least one successful self rescue Id be looking for a new instructor.